Split-rim tool



Oct. 2, 1928.

F. LE R. MAIN SPLIT 'RIM TOOL Filed OGL 24, 1925 aus: "up

Patented Oct. 2, 1928.

-i v.UNITI-:1) STATES wenn PATENT]orties..,

nrmivr: LE ROI irIAIiL-OI1 BIRMINGHAMKMIOHIGAN, Asscrivon To GENERAL Morrone CORPORATION, -OF DETROIT, MIOHIGAMA CORPORATION or DELAWARE.

v SPLIT-RIM. IooL. a w

Application mea (mamar4 24, i925." serial N6. 64,605.

y -This invention'relates to atire'rim and an operating tool therefor.l A Y In transversely split rims as usedto carryk motor vehicle` tires the oint betweenthe two parts-of the rim is: usually broken and the rim contracted in the act of; changing tires. The rimisthen expanded, the parts restored to normal position and locked together, much difficultyis found in performing these operail0 tions, `especially in the `case of rims for large tires, and it is an object of this invention to provide a split rim a toolforoperating the same whereby the joints may be yeasily broken,and the' rim contracted.

It is a further object of the invention to provide the rim parts with lugs and an operating tool cooperating with the rim parts whereby the rim joint` may be broken by the -tool and the rim contracted and the lugs brought into an engagement to hold the rim in kcontracted position. Under these circumstances the tool may, if desired, be removed while the tire is being changed. For full understanding of the invention tion and to the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1, Figure 2 andFigure 3 representiside views of the adjacent portions of the rim with the Operating ,tool attached 3 thereto, the three figures representing three different'positions in the operation of the rim tool. Figure 4 is a plan view ofthe rim with the tool attached. Figure 5 is a side elevation of the operating tool by itself. Figure 6 is a side view of the lrim partsas shown in Figure 1 on an enlarged scale, with the tool 1 detached. Figure 7 is an enlarged side eleva tion corresponding with Figure 2.

Referring to the drawing, numerals 1 and 2 represent the adjacent ends of a rim. The

part 1 has riveted thereto, as at 5, a generally` U shaped driving lug 7. The base of the lug has an extension 9 at one end entering an opening therefor in the rim and also a depending extension 11 at its opposite end pro- Y jected beyond the part 1 and adapted to enter a similarly shaped opening 13 in the rimpart 2. VTo lock the parts of the rim together a latch member 15 is pivoted to rim end 2 andV arranged to swing across andv hold the de.

pending extension 11 in the opening 13. On part 2 of the rim is a lug 17 This lug is as shown riveted to the rim. The lugs 7 and 17 are provided with apertures 18 to receive 5 pivot bolts carriedby the rim tool.

reference is made to the following specifica-- Trim tool is composed of threemembers. I

An operating'handle 19, a link 21'. and a second link 23. The handle 19 Serves vas a lever and is offset nearits work end Lso that when'in position asshown in Figure 4 the handleis faced awayfrom the rim. At a point nearits work end it is pivoted by a pin 25 tolink 21. The latter isacurved bar extending a short distance from its pivot 25 where it has a fiat end to engage at times the secondlink 23. Thez opposite end of link 21 carries'a pivot `bolt`27 intended for entry into aperture 18 of lug 7. 'Ihe secondlink 23 is` also curved. .j Its upper end has a slot'29to receive'apivot bolt 31carried at the end of handle 19. The other Vend of link 23 is yprovided with pivot bolt 33 shown at 35 and is provided in the offset por-' tion with a notch 37. v

When a rim joint is to be broken the bolts 27 and 33 are entered into the aperture 18 of lugs 7and 17 j as explained above. The parts then assume the position as shown by Figure 1 and by Figure t.l The handle is then swung in a clockwise direction, as seen in Figure 1. The handle swings about its pivot with the link 23 and lifts by means of the link 21 the part 1 up from engagement with part 2 in a radial direction. As the vclock wise movement of the handle continues rimpart 1 moves circumferentially along rim part 2, part 2 guiding partl from any lateral 'i movement.` As extension 11 meets lug 17 In this position the rim is held securely in"` its contracted position by the engagement of parts 11 and 17 and also prevented from lateral movement byV the engagement Off the rim walls. The tool .may then be removed during the tire changing operation. l

-IVhen the tire changing operation is completed jthe tool is replaced.k 'I Ihe handle is swung in a counter clock wise direction: The notch portion oflink 23 lifts extension 11 from lug 17 and the parts vare v position shown in Figure 3 where the end of link 23 engages the inner surface of link 21'.v By aclockwise movement of the handle the link 21V fulcrums about the end of link 23 and the rim parts are spread slightly beyond normal position as shown by dotted lines in Figure 3, vThis ensures a proper engagemoved to the I ment of the tire on .the rim. By releasing the pressure on the handle the rim parts assume their normal position and extension 11 en-Y tels'thie rim aperture and may be locked.

Among the unique characteristcsoi the device are the provision for only sufficient v radial movement to allow the rim parts to separate. Thereafter the relative movement is circumferential except for the slight` Vol.' handle which separates the 'rim parts somewhat beyond their normal position eneures the correct engagement of the tire with I- claim Y 1. A split rim tool comprising a handle, a link i-ntermediatelypivoted adjacent an end of said handle,v a secondlink intermediately pivoted to' said handle at a point somewhat a rim adjacent the split, the other ends ofthe links lying in the same plane and slidably engaging each handle.

2. A rim tool comprising va handle, tWo links intermediately pivoted adjacent one end of the' handle,one arm of each link having means for 'attachment to a rim, the other arms slidably engaging leach other in the operation of the too 3. A rim tool comprising 'a handle, tWo links each intermediately pivoted at-'spaced points adjacent one end of they handle, the long arm of. each link having means for at'- tachmenttoa rim, the short arms engaging each otherarid having `a limited sliding movement during which; movement they other upon the operation of the Y handle acts as a lever of the second classfto i' radially separateitheendsofthe rim,

In testimony whereof I alix my signature.

FRANK LE Roi MAIN. 

